Ateneo de Manila University pulled off a stunning four-set victory over top-seeded De La Salle University, 28-26, 25-16, 23-25, 26-24, to extend their semifinal series in the 2025 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The fourth-seeded Blue Eagles leaned on Amil Pacinio, Jian Salarzon, and Miguel Yu to halt La Salle’s eight-game winning streak and keep their bid for a first V-League men’s crown alive. The win forced a winner-take-all Game 3 set on Saturday, October 6, at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.

Pacinio, Salarzon lead Ateneo’s fightback

After dropping the third set, Ateneo regrouped behind Pacinio’s offense and Salarzon’s clutch plays in the closing moments. A net touch by Salarzon and an overreach by JJ Rodriguez gave La Salle a lifeline late in the fourth, but Ateneo recovered with timely hits.

Salarzon redeemed himself with a crosscourt attack before Yu delivered a crucial conversion to bring the Blue Eagles to match point. The game finally ended when Eugene Gloria’s attempt sailed wide, sealing Ateneo’s gritty triumph in one hour and 58 minutes.

Head coach Vince Mangulabnan credited his players’ composure in the crucial stretch. “Sinabi ko lang na kailangan nilang i-acknowledge na kaya nila at alam nila yung gagawin. Thank you sa kanila kasi sila nag-trabaho nito, hindi ako,” Mangulabnan said.

Series goes down to the wire

Pacinio top-scored for Ateneo with 20 points on 19 attacks and an ace, while Salarzon added 18 markers and 12 receptions. Yu chipped in 16 points, with middle blockers Brian Castro and rookie Rodge Alejos adding eight apiece.

For La Salle, Gloria finished with 16 points and nine receptions, while Issa Ousseini contributed 14 markers.

The Blue Eagles will now try to clinch a finals berth for the first time in years, while the Green Spikers look to bounce back in their title defense in Saturday’s do-or-die showdown.